2017 Fall Camp #3: Notes

USC football donned shells for the first time this fall on a muggy afternoon at Howard Jones Field.

Injury report, per head coach Clay Helton: WR-CB Keyshawn Young (hamstring), OL Viane Talamaivao (ankle), S Matt Lopes (toe), OL Alijah Vera-Tucker (hamstring).

The Trojans concentrated on third down packages today. Helton noted that the Trojans were the best in the Pac-12 at converting on third down last season, and explained that he wants the defense to improve on that front.

Helton provided a little more clarity on the offensive line, which has shifted repeatedly since spring ball. He said that junior Chuma Edoga will focus on right tackle, while redshirt junior Toa Lobendahn will continue to train at center and left tackle. "Coming off that [right hand] surgery, [Edoga] just feels more comfortable over there, because you don't use your right hand as much," Helton said. "Being a right tackle, you're forced to use that left hand so much more significantly than your outside hand."

Redshirt sophomore Clayton Johnston, who has added about 20 pounds since the season ended, also got looks at left tackle. Helton praised him along with freshmen Austin Jackson and Andrew Vorhees for their performances at the tackle positions.

Junior LB Porter Gustin says that going up against different linemen with different strengths has helped him improve his skills, and that the next step for him is to get more in tune with the rest of the defense, to "play together as a single unit." "If we really just come together as a team, that'll reflect in the season," he said.

Gustin's protege, sophomore LB Connor Murphy, has caught the eye of USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast. "The second year in the system, he's a little bit more comfortable, understanding the things that we are asking him to do," he said of the Arizona native. "He's really not having to think very much, so he's able to play a lot faster than he did last year."

Pendergast noted that alongside Murphy, sophomore LB Oluwole Betiku Jr. has made the biggest jump from spring to fall camp.

DB Jack Jones (pictured) is also earning praise for his transformation from Year 1 to Year 2. "He is much more business-like and mature in this camp," Helton said. "A year worth of being in our culture and a year worth of being around some real good older guys … they teach you and show you the way. Our way."

Jones, who joked that he's aiming to beat out QB Sam Darnold for the Heisman Trophy this season, acknowledged his improvement but expressed that he has "a long way to go." "I've got to know this defense like the back of my hand," he said. "When you know something, you can play faster, but if you don't know, then you are playing slow."

The Trojans have one more practice in shells tomorrow before putting on full pads on Friday.

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